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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Wigan Subscription Bowling Club

9 Comments

Wigan Subscription Bowling Green,Official Opening of the Green, by the Mayor (c1966 )
Wigan Subscription Bowling Green,Official Opening of the Green, by the Mayor (c1966 )
Photo: Dave Cockrell
Views: 3,702
Item #: 18799
Can anyone put any names to this photo. I seem to remember the gentleman on the left ran the Newsagents at the bottom of the Little Arcade before moving to premises in Mesnes Street.

Comment by: JohnB on 28th October 2011 at 19:09

In which case he would be the father of Trevor Smith, I'm afraid I never knew his first name. Trevor retired from the Mesnes business a few years ago.

Comment by: irene roberts on 28th October 2011 at 20:22

It was Sid Smith.

Comment by: Maureen Andrews nee McGovern on 29th October 2011 at 09:42

Some years ago Sid Smith told me that in the 30's he and my Uncle hitch hiked to London looking for work...just imagine hitch hiking all that way.

Comment by: Cyril on 30th October 2011 at 14:46

Isn't this the Bellingham Bowling Club down New Lodge, Wigan Lane, the Wigan Bowling Club is down Park Crescent West Park Road and is a black and white building, or was these photos taken before it was refurbished.?

Comment by: Michael France on 30th October 2011 at 22:05

David, That is Sid Smith of Smiths books on left writing and Jack Johnson on the right of the group of bowlers. They were probably President and Vice President of the club for that year. In the background is far right - Joe Clough, 4th from right - Jack Bishop, man with flat cap is Jack Litler and Bill Farley is stood behind the mayor off the bowling green.

Comment by: Dave Cockrell on 31st October 2011 at 12:57

You could be right Cyril, the photo was accompanied by the other one of WSBC on Park Road, but that Club has now been radically altered and extended at the front, so I have no I idea what it looked like in its original state. Perhaps some one else could comment.

Comment by: 1934granada. on 31st October 2011 at 13:44

If Jack Bishop is on this photo chances are that this is the "Subby" club off Park Road. He was a member there for years prior to his death. I must admit though it does not look like him. Having said that though this was taken in 1966 (I only knew him from 1983) and his features could have changed over the years.

Comment by: Ray Tew on 19th September 2012 at 12:28

I am Jack Bishop's son-in-law and had many a pint at WSBC with him since 1976 until he stopped going due to ill-health. I am pretty sure that he is 4th face from the right looking on

Comment by: JohnGaskell on 16th October 2012 at 15:25

I have been a subs member sine 1960. The member with the handkerchief in his to pocket is Frank Mulligan.

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